GUNMEN on high-powered motorbikes opened fire during a high-speed chase on a car which crashed into an innocent woman driver coming the other way.

Up to 10 shots were fired from automatic weapons during the terrifying drama but amazingly no-one was hit.

Bullets were sprayed around the streets as the gunmen fired with one hand and steered the bikes with the other.

A senior detective said: "They could have hit anyone or anything.

"The woman driver realised what was going on and was utterly terrified. We simply have to get these maniacs off the street before a disaster happens."

The drama happened yesterday evening, when a white Alfa Romeo was seen speeding along Claremont Road, Moss Side, with two Japanese bikes close behind, guns blazing. Horrified pedestrians ducked for cover as the two bikes, being ridden side by side closed in on the car.

The Alfa turned into Cowesby Street which is narrow with barely room for two cars and collided with the Vauxhall.

At this point more shots were heard and, his car damaged, the apparent intended victim got out.

However, instead of fleeing immediately, he dragged open the woman's door and yelled abuse at her before running off, leaving her suffering from deep shock.

The bikes, one red and white, the other blue and white, were both driven off in another direction.

It was later established one bullet hit a parked car and police were today checking to find where the others hit.

A man, suspected to be the car driver, later turned up at Manchester Royal Infirmary needing attention for a back injury.

He has been spoken to by police and is likely to be interviewed again.

A police spokesman said of the chase drama: "There were many people out in the area at this time both in cars and on foot."